Dominican Republic: Authorities announce state of emergency and curfew extensions from September 3 /update 17

Event

Dominican Republic authorities announced that the state of emergency and curfew currently in effect in the country amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic will be extended from Thursday, September 3. President Luis Abinader made the announcement about the extensions, noting that the state of emergency will be extended for a period of 45 days and the nightly 17:00 to 06:00 curfew will be extended for an additional 25 days. The declaration provides the government with the ability to apply proportional restrictions on freedom of movement, public assembly, and other powers needed to control the spread of the virus. Both are subject to further extensions if the increase in virus cases continues. 

The government of the Dominican Republic initially declared a state of emergency for 45 days from July 20.  

The wearing of face masks in public places remains mandatory nationwide.

As of September 2, there have been 95,627 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the country, and 1765 associated fatalities. Further international spread of the virus is expected in the near term.

Context

The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (Hubei province, China). Since then, human-to-human transmission of the virus has been confirmed.

Cases of the virus have been confirmed in numerous countries and territories worldwide. On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the global outbreak a pandemic. Virus-screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions.

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, dry cough, and tiredness. Some patients may experience other symptoms such as body pains, nasal congestion, headache, conjunctivitis, sore throat, diarrhea, loss of taste or smell or a rash on skin or discoloration of fingers or toes. These symptoms (in most cases mild) appear gradually. Generally, most patients (around 80 percent) recover from the disease without being hospitalized.

Advice

Measures adopted by local authorities evolve quickly and are usually effective immediately. Depending on the evolution of the outbreak in other countries, authorities are likely to modify, at very short notice, the list of countries whose travelers are subject to border control measures or entry restrictions upon their arrival to the territory in question. It is advised to postpone nonessential travel due to the risk that travelers may be refused entry or be subject to quarantine upon their arrival or during their stay.

To reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, travelers are advised to abide by the following measures:

• Frequently clean hands by applying an alcohol-based hand rub or washing with soap and water.
• When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue; if used, throw the tissue away immediately and wash hands.
• If experiencing a fever, cough, difficulty breathing, or any other symptoms suggestive of COVID-19 call emergency services before going to the doctor or hospital to prevent the potential spread of the disease.